NewsOK: Oklahoma City News, Sports, Weather & Entertainment

(Super)Heroes and villains at OKC synagogue's Purim party

With a much-anticipated blockbuster about superheroes about to premiere in theaters, I wasn't too shocked to see an individual wearing a mask and cape walking down the hall recently.

Then I had to stop and think about where I was.

I wasn't at the movie theater where a film about Batman and Superman battling it out was showing on the big screen.

I was at Emanuel Synagogue, a Jewish synagogue in Oklahoma City.

Wait. What?

Turns out it was Colman Reaboi, the synagogue's cantor-educator, in the bright red superhero costume strolling down the hall. And Jeff Goss, Emanuel 's director of youth education, soon walked by wearing black, complete with an ebony triangular-shaped hat.Jeff Goss, Emanuel Synagogue's director of youth education, dressed as Haman, the villain in the Purim story, during the synagogue's recent Purim festivities in Oklahoma City. [Photo by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman]

I was visiting the synagogue just in time for the start of Purim festivities.

Goss, as it turned out, was dress as Haman, the villain in the Purim story. Reaboi was dressed as "Mr. Incredible," the dad from the hit animated movie "The Incredibles," in keeping with the synagogue's Purim theme of "Heroes and Villains."

Purim commemorates the Persian Jews' victory over oppression. It began at sundown on Wednesday, March 23 and concluded at sundown Thursday, March 24.

As chronicled in the Book of Esther, the Persian king chooses Esther from among a bevy of women to be his queen. At her cousin Mordecai's recommendation, Esther hides her Jewish identity but discloses it later when evil leader Haman plots to destroy all Jews in the kingdom. As the story is chronicled in the Book of Esther, Haman's plot fails due to Esther's efforts.

Rabbi Abby Jacobson, spiritual leader at Emanuel Synagogue, said Purim is one of the Jewish community's most festival holidays and she expected activities to go well into the evening.

As part of Purim tradition, Jewish faith communities typically come together for the traditional Megillah reading -- the reading of the Book of Esther.

They also eat lots of Hamantaschen, a sweet pastry and dress in costumes, play games and generally have fun.

Youths at Emanuel Synagogue enjoyed bounce houses, games and they staged their own rendition of the Purim story.A Spider-man bounce house was among the inflatables and other youth-oriented activities offered at Emanuel Synagogue's recent Purim festivities in Oklahoma City. Theme for the Purim party was "Heroes and Villains."

The holiday just happened to coincide with Christians' Holy Week this year, although in recent years, it has been the Jewish holiday of Passover that has often occurred during the special week leading up to Easter Sunday.

Carla Hinton

(Story continued below...)

Religion Editor

besides eating Hamantaschen, the Jewish faith community observes the festival of Purim with a traditional Megillah reading — the reading of the Book of Esther. Also, parties and other festivities are planned at temples and synagogues.

Jeff Goss, Emanuel Synagogue's director of youth education, dressed as Haman, the villain in the Purim story, during the synagogue's recent Purim festivities in Oklahoma City. [Photo by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman]A Spider-man bounce house was among the inflatables and other youth-oriented activities offered at Emanuel Synagogue's recent Purim festivities in Oklahoma City. Theme for the Purim party was "Heroes and Villains."

Carla Hinton

Carla Hinton, an Oklahoma City native, joined The Oklahoman in 1986 as a National Society of Newspaper Editors minority intern. She began reporting full-time for The Oklahoman two years later and has served as a beat writer covering a wide...
Read more ›